Illuminated street index



Oct. 12 1926.

G. FRANK ILLUMI NATED STREET I NDEX Filed Feb. 1, 1926 Patented Oct. 12, 1926.

f UNITED. STATES lPATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE FRANK, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ILLUMINATED STREET INDEX.

Application filed February lThis invention relates to improvements in streetindex signs and the like, and more particularly to an improved construction thereof.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved construction, which is simple, practical, and adapted for quantity production; to provide a construction in which many of the parts are of duplicate form, to reduce the number of different tools and dies required in manufacture; to provide a one-piece stamped legend frame of rigid construction; to provide a sign housing having a rigid base for supporting the lamps; and to provide a street index in which the stop-and-go signal is combined with the street naine sign.

A preferred embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- F ig. 1 is a perspective drawing of a street intersection index.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the index housing taken on a vertical plane.

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 illustrate details of the housing construction.k

Fig. 8 illustrates the side frame blank.

In the form shown, substantially duplicate top and bottom channel-shaped sheet metal strips are fastened to the inwardly projecting flanges of the two cast end plates. The legend frames, bearing the transparent sign plates, are mounted in the side of the box or housing by hinging the frames to the lower edges of the top member. In this manner the housing is formed of only three differently shaped parts,-the cast ends, the channels, and the stamped Vlegend frame, each of which parts is a very simple pattern and well adapted for duplication in large Y quantities. Also, the cast end members provide a substantial and rigid mounting for the lamp bases.

A n ordinary use of my' device at a street intersection is shown in Fig. 1, in which two of the sign boxes 1 are shown mounted, one above the other, in parallel relation with the streets named on the glass .panels 2, and the boxes are mounted on the post 3. The interiors of the boxes 1 are illuminated preferably by alternately lighting two differently colored lights 4 and 5, which are indicated in Fig. 2 as being red and green respectively.

In this manner the stop-and-go signal is in- 1, 1926. serial No. 85,256.

corporated in the same structure with the street sign. This arrangement, of course, has the advantages of leffecting a considerable saving by combining two structures in one, and also provides an illuminated street name, which is illuminated by the same power used to light the stop-and-go signal. lThe detailed construction is illustrated in the remaining figures of the drawing, and will be described as follows:

The cast end plates 6 are used for supporting the lamps 4 and 5, and the remaining parts of the frame, namely, the top 7, bottom 8 and the sign frames 9, are stamped from'sheet metal. The end member 6 comprises a flat rectangular'plate 10, having a central boss 11 on the inner surface, and a continuous marginal flange 12 slightly inset from the edges of the plate portion 10.

The top and bottom members, 7 and 8, are channel-shaped with short marginal flanges. These members are arranged with the iianges projecting inwardly, and are secured to the fianges of the end members by means of the screws 13. A light-weight, substantial box with open sides is thus formed.

The lamp bases 4.1 and 5.1 are secured to the bosses 11 by means of the screws 14, preferably with a reflector plate 15 interposed between each base and the surface of the boss, as shown, to direct light towards the center of the box in order to evenly illuminateall parts of the sign.-

The legend frames 9 are hinged to the edges of the fianges 7 .1 of the top member 7, and swing down by gravity to close the space between the flanges 7.1 and the flanges 8.1 of the bottom memberl 8, and extend at the ends to abut the plates 10 of the end pieces so as to leave the outer surface of the box smooth.

For shedding water and'shutting out dust and dirt, the upper edges of the frames 9 are slightly offset so as to engage behind the depending ianges 7.1 of the top plate 7 and the edges of the upstanding flanges 8.1 of the lower member are also offset to engage behind the lower edges of the frames 9.

The legend frame 9 is formed by a few standard operations froma single sheet of material. The sheet is sized and pierced in the center to form an opening which has the small projecting lugs 16 around the edges, and the miter cuts 17 at the corners. The metal around the opening is doubled back upon itself 0n the line 18, Fig. 8, and the edges are upturned on the line 19 to form the upstanding flanges 20, Which are spaced back from the finished opening. The glass plates 2 are supported in t-he recess formed by the flanges 20, and held tightly against the frame by eleating the lugs 16 down over the glass. The legends may be placed on the plate 2 in any Well-known manner, pret'- erably with an opaque background and transparent lettering;

ln this manner a strong housing of light Weight is provided, which is Well adapted for production in large quantities. The housing is Weather-proof and at the same time the interior is readily accessible for repairs or alterations.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted Without departing` from the spirit of this invention.

I claim:

1. In an illuminated street index, a housing comprising spaced channel-shaped sheet metal top and bottom members or substantially duplicate form arranged Wit-h the flanges extending inwardly, cast flanged end members of duplicate form secured in said members, lamps mounted on the inner surfaces of the end members, and frames hinged to the top members and closing the spaces between the upper and lower members, and transparent legend-bearing plates secured in said frames.

2. In an illuminated street index, a housing comprising spaced channel-shaped top and bottom members arranged with the flanges extending inwardly, end members secured between said members, sheet metal frames hinged to the edges of' the flanges of the top member, said frames each comprising an integral sheet having an opening with upst-anding flanges recessed around the edges of the opening, transparent legendbearing plates supported by the flanges over the openings, and an offset formed in the ripper edge of each of the fra-mes to engage back of the adjoining flange of the top member for shedding Water.

Signed at Chicago this 19th day of January, 1926.

GEORGE FRANK. 

